Improvement in extension ladders



steelt' @time 'GEQRGE L. JOHNSQN, OF FAIRFIELD, NEW YORK.

Letters Patent IVO. 03,163, lated lllarelz. 25, 1867 antedated Mare/1L 15, 1867.

IMPROVEMENT IN EXTENSION LADDERS.

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that LGEORGF. L. JOHNSON, of Fairfield, in the county of Herkimer, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Extensible Ladders; and lLdo hereby declare the following to be a. full, clear, and exact description oi' the nature, `construction, and operation of the same, reference being had to -the accompanying drawings,- and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates toa novel device for settingorholding the sections of an extensible ladder in whatever `positions they maybe made to as'sume,an'd consists of a hook, provided witn'a locking and releasing slide and holder or socket, .arranged to operate as hereinafter explained.4 In the drawingsv Figure 1 is a side view of the hook, slide, and holder, the slide being inv position to holdthe hook upon the rung of the ladder. I I

Figure 2 is a similar view of the same parts, showing the slide with its end withdrawn from -the socket or holder in'order topermit the hook to ihe 'disengaged `from the rung ofthe ladder. I

Figures 3, 4, and 5 are detached-viens ofthe holder, the slide, and the hook, respectively.

A represents the hook, which is pivoted atD to the holder or socket C. The'holder C .is fastened by screws or bolts at F F to one of the movable sections of an extensible ladder, and the vibration ofthe hook A upon its pivot D is limited by the studs or guards E E.- -B isa slide, provided with slots b which "embrace the pins a a on the side of the hook A, said pins causing tl-e slide to move in a line parallel with the hook when adjusted. The function of the slide B is to hold the hook immovably upon the rung of" the ladder with which it may be engaged, and thus -maintain any degree ot' extension in which the ladder is Adesired to be used. This is done by depressing the slide B so that its lower end shall'oceupy the holder or socket'C, `when it preventsthe hooi:l A from turning upon its pivot D. To perln'it the hook Ato be disengaged from the lrung of the ladder it is only necessary to elevate the slide so as to withdraw it's end from the holder C;- when ,this is done the hook is free to swing upon its pil-vot. and as the centre of gravity is at one side oi` the point o'i`- vibration, D, the hook engages itself automatically with the rungsofl the-ladder as the ladder is extended. Any suitable number of hooks, with their appendages, are employed in connection with each ladder. This device is simple and cheap, and cannot easily becomeI deranged; moreover, from practical test, it has been found more vefficient for the purpose than devices heretofore devised.

Having thus described my invention, the following is what I .claim as new herein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent: l

I claim the combination with the hook A of the slide B and socket C, all constructed, arranged, and operating in the manner and for the pu'ipose specified.

GEO. L. JOHNSON, Witnesses:

CLINTON CHATFIELD,

JACOB H. WABER. 

